Electronic cryogenic surgical probe apparatus and method
OwnerArchie C. Hamiltoninventor
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Abstract
A thermoelectric cryoprobe for the topical treatment of neoplasms by freezing. The cryoprobe comprises a plurality of stacked thermoelectric modules coupled to a distal treatment tip through a heat pipe. Heat is dissipated by a heat exchanger system. An external control unit is provided which serves as a source of DC power for the hand-held cryoprobe and contains a control system for controlling the thermoelectric element based upon temperature feedback from treatment site. Temperature feedback from the sensors facilitates freeze-thaw cycling by the cryoprobe to more effectively destroy the tissue at the treatment site.
Claims31
An electronic cryoprobe for treating tissue comprising:
- a) a thermoelectric cooling module;
- b) a heat pipe coupled to said thermoelectric cooling module wherein heat is transferred from said heat pipe to said cooling module;
- c) an application tip coupled to said heat pipe wherein heat is transferred from a tissue treatment site to said heat pipe;
- d) an electric power means for supplying power to said thermoelectric cooling module;
- e) a control means connected to said thermoelectric cooling module for regulating the rate of heat transferred by said cooling module;
- and
- f) a sensing means connected to said control means for detecting the heat loss transferred from said treatment site to said electronic cryoprobe, wherein said sensing means relays temperature information to said control means, and wherein said control means processes said information to generate a multiple freeze-thaw cycle to be delivered by said electronic cryoprobe to said treatment site.
An electronic cryoprobe for treating tissue comprising:
- a) a thermoelectric cooling module wherein upon being provided with electric power said cooling module displays opposing hot and cold surfaces;
- b) a heat pipe coupled to said thermoelectric cooling module wherein heat is transferred from said heat pipe to the cold surface of said cooling module;
- c) an application tip coupled to said heat pipe wherein heat is transferred from a tissue treatment site to said heat pipe;
- d) a heat exchanging means coupled to the hot surface of said cooling module for transferring heat from said cooling module to said heat exchanging means and into the ambient air;
- e) a control means connected to said thermoelectric cooling module for regulating the rate of heat transferred by said cooling module;
- and
- f) a sensing means connected to said control means for detecting the heat loss transferred from said treatment site to said electronic cryoprobe, wherein said sensing means relays temperature information to said control means, and wherein said control means processes said information to generate a multiple freeze-thaw cycle to be delivered by said electronic cryoprobe to said treatment site.
An electronic cryoprobe for treating tissue comprising:
- a) a first thermoelectric cooling module;
- b) a heat pipe coupled to said first thermoelectric cooling module wherein heat is transferred from said heat pipe to said first cooling module;
- c) an application tip coupled to said heat pipe wherein heat is transferred from said tissue site to said heat pipe;
- and
- d) a second thermoelectric cooling module coupled to said application tip wherein heat is transferred from said tip to said heat pipe.
A method of destroying and thereby treating benign and malignant tumors of the skin and mucous membranes comprising the steps of:
- a) transferring heat from a tissue treatment site to form a frozen bolus;
- b) monitoring said heat loss;
- and
- c) administering a freeze-thaw cycle to said tissue treatment site while maintaining a frozen outer wall of said bolus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.